The Toronto Maple Leafs (2-1-0) and Florida Panthers (1-2-0) meet Thursday at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise, Fla. Puck drop is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET (ESPN+). Below, we analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Maple Leafs vs. Panthers odds, and make our expert NHL picks and predictions.
The Maple Leafs lost 4-1 on home ice against the Chicago Blackhawks on Monday. After scoring 13 goals in the 1st 2 games, including a pair of hat tricks by C Auston Matthews, Toronto had a power outage against the Blackhawks.
The Panthers opened with a 2-0 road loss against the Minnesota Wild last Thursday, and followed that up with a wild 6-4 road loss against the Winnipeg Jets on Saturday. The Panthers scratched out their 1st win on Monday, 4-3 at New Jersey Devils. This will be the home opener for Florida.
Stream the NHL all season on ESPN+, with your team’s out-of-market games, exclusive games, originals and more. Get ESPN+ now!
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 5:58 a.m. ET.
Moneyline (ML): Maple Leafs -135 (bet $135 to win $100) | Panthers +115 (bet $100 to win $115) Puck line (PL)/Against the spread (ATS): Maple Leafs -1.5 (+170) | Panthers +1.5 (-210) Over/Under (O/U): 7 (O: +105 | U: -125) Maple Leafs at Panthers projected goaliesIlya Samsonov (2-0-0, 4.42 GAA, .839 SV%) vs. Sergei Bobrovsky (1-2-0, 3.42 GAA, .888 SV%)
Samsonov is confirmed to start Thursday’s game, looking to rain on the parade of the home opener for the Panthers. While he has won his 1st 2 starts, he coughed up 9 goals on 56 shots in those outings, bailed out by Toronto’s outstanding offense.
Bobrovsky allowed just 2 goals in his best showing of the season last Thursday in Minnesota, and he lost. He allowed 3 goals on 34 shots last time out in New Jersey, and he won. Bob has allowed 3 or more goals twice in 3 outings.
Play our free daily Pick’em Challenge and win! Play now!
Maple Leafs at Panthers picks and predictions PredictionPanthers 4, Maple Leafs 3
Moneyline
The PANTHERS (+115) are a solid value as short ‘dogs in the team’s home opener. Florida has had the number of the Maple Leafs (-135) in recent seasons, winning 9 of the past 13 meetings in Sunrise, while going 4-1 in the past 5 meetings overall. The underdog has cashed 7 of the past 8 meetings in this series, too.
Puck line/Against the spreadThe Panthers +1.5 (-210) will cost you more than 2 times your potential return, and that’s way too much risk for not nearly enough reward if you require a little bit of insurance. Florida has dominated this series in recent years, so just play the Cats straight up if you like it.
PASS.
Over/UnderOver/Under 7 is a risky play, as I think the total comes right down on the number.
The Under has cashed in each of the past 7 meetings, while going 4-1 in the past 5 skates in South Florida. If anything, buying a half goal would be the way to go, but at Under 7.5 (-190), it’s still a lot of risk for not enough reward.
AVOID.
For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.
Follow Kevin J. Erickson on Twitter/X. Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter/X and like us on Facebook.
Sign up for our newsletter to get updates to your inbox, and also receive offers from us, our affiliates and partners. By signing up you agree to our Privacy Policy
